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The Howard School Catchment Area

Reviewed by the catchment.school editorial team · Last updated 15 March 2026

The Howard School is an academy converter secondary school in Gillingham, Medway , serving pupils aged 11-18, with 1534 pupils, and a capacity of 1725 places. Find catchment area guidance, admissions policy details and nearby secondary schools below.

11-18

Age range

1,534

Pupils

1,725

Capacity

89%

Fill rate

Good

Ofsted 2013

The Howard School Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for The Howard School?

The catchment area for The Howard School is the geographic zone Medway uses to prioritise admissions when this secondary school receives more applications than it has places. Children living inside the boundary are ranked higher under the oversubscription criteria, after looked-after children and siblings. Medway publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

As an academy, The Howard School sets its own admissions criteria, agreed with Medway. The catchment area boundary is defined in the school's annual admissions policy, which may differ from the LA's general school admissions arrangements.

The official admissions policy, including the catchment boundary map, is published by Medway before each admissions cycle. Always verify your address with the council before submitting an application, as boundaries can change year to year.

Find Medway catchment area documents →

The Howard School: 1725 places, 89% filled: places available

The Howard School has a published admission number of 1725 places. 1534 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 89%. At 89% full, the school currently has headroom below its 1725 place limit. Catchment distance criteria still apply when the school is oversubscribed, but at current demand levels, places have been available for applicants outside the immediate catchment area.

The fill-rate figure above reflects overall demand, but the school's intake also varies by community profile. 19.7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, below the national average. The school draws primarily from a lower-deprivation part of Gillingham.

To check whether your home address falls within the historical catchment boundary, use the postcode search tool on this site.

Medway publishes its full admissions policy, including oversubscription criteria, the previous year's last-distance figures, and the appeals timetable, on the council's official admissions page. Find Medway school admissions →

The Howard School: School Information

Full address
Derwent Way, Rainham, Gillingham, ME8 0BX
Local authority
Medway
School type
Academy converter
Phase of education
Secondary
Age range
11-18 years
Gender
Boys
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Free school meals
19.7% of pupils
DfE URN
141466

Other Secondary Schools in Gillingham

If The Howard School is oversubscribed, these secondary schools in Gillingham are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest secondary schools by distance

These are the secondary schools closest to The Howard School by straight-line distance, including ones across a town or council boundary. Distance is not the same as being in catchment: always check each school's own admissions policy for its actual boundary.

Frequently Asked Questions: The Howard School

What is the catchment area for The Howard School?

The catchment area for The Howard School is the geographic zone Medway uses to prioritise admissions when this secondary school receives more applications than it has places. Children living inside the boundary are ranked higher under the oversubscription criteria, after looked-after children and siblings. Medway publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

Is The Howard School oversubscribed?

The Howard School has a capacity of 1725 places and currently has 1534 pupils enrolled. For the most up-to-date data, check with Medway.

What is the admissions policy for The Howard School?

Admission to The Howard School is managed by Medway. When oversubscribed, places go to looked-after children first, then siblings, then catchment area distance. Always verify the current policy with the council before applying.

What age range does The Howard School cover?

The Howard School is a secondary school in Gillingham, Medway, serving pupils aged 11-18. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

What is the Ofsted rating for The Howard School?

The Howard School was rated Good by Ofsted in 2013. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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